NUNSPEET, The Netherlands (BRAIN)—Shimano officially stepped into the e-bike market this week with the introduction of its first component group for electric bikes.
The group is called STEPS—an acronym for Shimano Total Electric Power System—and is based on four design principles: comfort, eco, smart and clean and reliable, according to a press release sent Friday from Shimano’s European office in the Netherlands.
The group includes a 250-watt front motor drive with a maximum speed of 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) an hour. It can be combined with several shifting options, including Shimano’s 8-speed internally geared hub with electronic shift buttons, and options for V brakes and roller brakes are available. STEPS can also be combined with Nexus internal geared V-brake and roller brake hubs and with existing rear derailleur systems.
The system comes with a 24-volt lithium ion battery that can be charged on the bike while riding in e-gain mode or off the bike, and can be recharged up to 3,000 times.
The battery is mounted at the rear carrier with an integrated taillight.
This component group complies with all major European standards. It has a diagnostic system that allows dealers and bike manufacturers to download data directly from the components.
The official launch of STEPS will take place at Eurobike in Friedrichshafen, Germany, which starts September 1 and it will be available in the market in December.
